Back in the saddle again.

This is one of my favorite pictures ever of lizzie.

Such an expression of perfect contentment.

It is the expression that we are all wearing right now.

While our summer was absolutely amazing and wonderful..

let's face it, we were starting to be really irritable from

lack of sleep, lack of schedule, suitcase living, junk food eating,

and just a little too much time together (smile).

Everyone is back to their perfect happy selves, and i like them

all again! (Phew, I was really starting to worry....really).

So Monday was the first day of school. Everyone was so excited,

and looked so cute. We shopped well this summer.

Our favorite place for the girls was "Plato's closet" in Reno.

Oh my mom! If you are ever in the Reno area, your gambling

money would be way better spent there. It is second hand store (gently used)

for teenage cool clothes (and for us hip mom's too. smile)

We were there for hours, and multiple times. They opened up another

store right next to it with high end stuff for older women (think ann taylor).

But Ammon was having nothing to do with it at that point. dang.

Lizzie's outfit above is from "Forever 21" they have a kid

section in the Sandy, Utah mall and it is a must hit for

school shopping. Lizzie really scored there.

Rebecca, Leah and Rachel (and me) got really cute hair cuts

ala Aunt Coco. Isn't Rebecca cute with her bangs? Nicole layered it,

and now it is so curly. Especially here with the humidity.

Leah is at the middle school with Rebecca this year (6th and 8th grade).

Leah is so excited to have a locker and switch class rooms, and to just

be older, and one of the big kids.

She told us this morning that all the 6th grade boys think Rebecca is Hot.

I told her, "good thing you look just like her!"

Rebecca has been so sweet with Leah helping her around school,

and picking out cute outfits for her to wear every day.

Doesn't Rachel look pretty?

She will be sweet 16 in just a couple of months!

Joe cool senior.

All of us girls had fun dressing jacob.

Every day we pick him out outfits

and ooh and ahh.

Jacob does not lack for feminine attention.

(at home or at school).

How fun to be a senior, and at the top of your game.

How fun to be in a small, close knit school where

you know and like everyone.

I am happy for him

Joe cool is actually a big goof ball.

My favorite, was the first day of school after they came home (lizzie's pictures above

are from after she got home because i forgot to take a pictures before. duh)

I took their picture, and then video taped them talking about the first day of school.

They all came home so happy and excited and full of stories.

I think that is a tradition i will continue.

I am just so happy to be back to my little simple house. I love to clean it and keep every-

thing running smoothly. I am happy to report that I have not missed a night yet of making a delicious dinner. I have done it happily, and it really makes everyone else happy too. I even grilled on the BBQ for the first time by myself. Yes, I almost burned off all my hair, but i did it. I made the yummiest steak tacos, with a grilled corn, avocado, red onion, lime juice etc. topping. It was a proud moment.

I am going to bed early, and getting up first thing and reading my scriptures. Breakfast at

7:15am, family prayer at 7:30am.

You must realize routine is very difficult for me. How long can I keep this up before life overtakes me. I must keep it simple, keep the routine (that is my mantra), oh and

be gentle with myself, and treat everyone like i treat ammon. smile. he is so easy to love.

Speaking of ammon, i forgot how angelic he is when he is home and getting enough sleep.

Really, i can't believe how well he did on the trip, but by the end he had had it.

Yesterday, he was so sweet and delightful. My joy was full.

My day yesterday? Morning routine with kids, Ammon eating breakfast in his high chair as

I got dressed and finished up my to do list for the day and emails etc. house all in order, bed made. Laundry moving, dishwasher humming. We leave the house at 11am to take forgotten lunch money to lizzie, and sit with her at lunch. Enjoy, how joyful all the 5th graders are. How innocent still and happy. Then to the thrift store to drop off a couple of bags, and peruse. What joy to find that they are giving away 10 free books per person, and ammon quietly reads a book i give him in his stroller while i enjoy searching for the perfect 10 books. I really found the perfect smattering of marriage, financial, novels, Korean non fiction, and a little something for everyone. While in the thrift store, I receive a call from the commissary (grocery store) that I have won $50 in the drawing that I entered last week. It's like the best day ever. smile. So after doing a few more errands around my little small base, I come home for a yummy lunch with ammon and put him down for a nap, read a little, and visit with Lizzie after school. Then I am off to get a new rations card with Dave, post office, and then to the commissary to receive my prize and do my grocery shopping. After that I stop by the high school football field, and watch jacob's football practice for a while. Then home to make dinner, and visit with the rest of the kids. We have pulled pork sandwiches on the yummiest rolls, a homemade macaroni salad, and grapes. We all talk as a family and hang out the rest of the night. I love how my kids are so social and want to tell me every detail. Jacob most of all, ha. Then family scripture, prayer, ammon to bed, homework, shower and reading "founding mothers" for book club on Thursday night. Lights out and in bed by 10:30pm.

That my friends, is my perfect day.

I love when school first starts, and spirits are high.

Discouragement, and frustration hasn't set in yet.

When hopes are high for the year, and anticipation is great.

Everything is still new and exciting.

Even a freshly sharpened pencil brings a smile.

A fresh start.

There is nothing like it.

This Saturday we go to the temple. The perfect end to the perfect first week.

Today looks like another great day. I just am now hearing Ammon's happy ramblings at 930am. You know his "ballyball" etc. (his is a world in which balls are the only thing he sees. ha)

I was able to blog this morning. Now if i can just exercise!

Here's to another day filled with the exhilaration that

comes when you cross off things on your to do list.

(i just love that feeling).

P.S. The hardest part of coming home is now I miss you all more. Thank you again

to all of my dear friends and family who made this such a memorable summer.

and yes, pictures will be following shortly. It's on the to do list! smile.

Rachel center stage

When Rachel was young we thought for sure she would be a famous actress.

This girl is DRAMATIC.

But when it came to performing in front of a crowd, surprisingly she froze up,

until now.

All of a sudden she has no fear, no stage fright, no forgetting lines etc. etc.

She performed in a few skits and was wonderful!

I was very proud of her.

But now she is going to be a doctor i think.

There will be plenty of drama there i am sure.

telling james that she wanted his seat in the audience.

He gave it to her.

I love this picture.

her adoring fans.

the walk home.

i love our little one street town.

Not even a stop light.

Summertime means pedicures. YES!

It's finally summer, and time for flip flops and cute sandals.

Which means we girls need to have pretty feet.

This was the first time I had ever gone with Rachel and Rebecca to have pedicures

(we even splurged for a manicure too), and it was

so much fun! How fun to have your daughters be your best friends.

(and btw, doesn't my arm look really skinny in the picture above? It's not of course.

It is just the shadowing of the picture, but a girl can dream. If you didn't know, i am self conscious about my upper arms. I told my friend today, "forget breast implants, I would totally

have surgery to have my arms looked chiseled. Alas, I am cursed with drumstick arms.

Really, of course I am just thankful to have healthy working arms. of course)

I love this picture above. It was so fun to just see them talking and laughing together.

I have drummed into my girls heads from the time that they were little, how precious

your sisters are. When they are angry with each other, I always say, "Who are my best friends?"

To which they reply in unison, "your sisters."

They know the speech. Your sisters will always be there for you.

Friends may come and go, but your sisters will always have your back.

Whenever they have friend problems at school they always have their sisters to turn to

to tell them, "forget them, you are the coolest." and laugh until the hurt dies down.

Let me add though, that I have found friends that are truly sisters to me, and you know who you are. You better be reading my blog!!! smile.

Also, cousins count too!!

Doesn't Rachel look so old???? (as in 18, not old like me. smile)

She does turn 16 this year. Dating? She is really excited at the

prospect of someone else buying her food. oh, that girl.

It was the last day of school today!!!! Time to party!!!

Although we kind of been partying all week. I think Rebecca went to

school one day this week.

Don't worry they all have straight A's. Except Lizzie, who came in crying tonight to me because

she had a B in math and everyone else had all A's. She was wearing just a t-shirt

and dark sun glasses with tears coming down. Precious.

I told her, "Don't you dare cry over a B!" Especially when you are in 4th grade!

A "B" is amazing! I told her that I got a "D" in math my senior year, and look how

smart I am! ha ha. Again, my kids are just so much better than I ever was.

Thankful tonight.

Pretty much thankful every night.

We Read in the scriptures tonight how when people are prosperous and all is going well is when they forget God etc. After we read, I asked what they learned. Jacob said what I just wrote and then that we need afflictions to keep us remembering God." To which I replied, "NO WAY!" I intend to never forget all that my Heavenly Father does for me every day and live every day in gratitude and thanksgiving. I am so not interested in trials for the sake of making me remember him. I am always making deals with Heavenly Father, that I will do whatever he wants me to do every day, just don't give me anything too hard. I'll stay humble, I promise.

Ok, i mean it, i am going to bed now.

for the love of basil.

I have had a serious craving for basil all winter. We have not had it at the commissary since last fall and it still isn't available. I have been going crazy wanting it so bad (and no, I am not pregnant. I just love basil). I made the best homemade pesto sauce. So good that I wanted to just drink it straight. Plus, I have a whole stack of recipes that I want to try, but they call for basil. What is a girl to do?

What a happy day when Kim called me and said that she has already harvested basil from her garden, and was happy to share some with me. Thank you Kim, i owe you big time. I didn't get a family garden plot since we are leaving for most of the summer. Who knew it would grow so quick!

So as you can see above, I immediately made pesto. Here is the recipe i used from allrecipes.com. It is super easy and so yummy. Go easy on the salt at first and add as needed. I think I could handle making it even nuttier.

Along with my pesto on whole wheat pasta, i made one of my favorite salads, and had rotisserie chicken that I got at the store. Perfection I must say. The sweet dressing on the salad mixed with the pesto was an unexpected delight. Here is the recipe...

Strawberry Romaine Salad

Mix 1 lg. head romaine lettuce and 1 head Boston or red leaf lettuce

1 pint strawberries sliced

I cup shredded Monterrey jack cheese

1 cup sugar toasted walnuts (you could do pecan as well)

I like to add crumbled bacon as well (you could do turkey bacon for lower fat)

The dressing

1 cup vegetable oil, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, 2 cloves garlic minced,

1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. paprika, 1/4 tsp. ground white pepper.

(this makes a lot of dressing, you could probably get away with halving it,

or save it for another time).

Don't mix the dressing with the salad and it will stay fresher, and people can put it on to taste.

Happy cooking!

another favorite

Now that is tired. The only time this has ever happened.

Poor kid he lead the life of a teenager.

don't grow up little man. please.

my favorite.

Another sight I came upon recently that warmed my heart and made me smile. Cozy in bed for his nap. Blankie, pooh bear (he calls baboo), and a good book. Perfection. Look at his little hands. What is not to love?

He is definitely his mother's son (minus the dark chocolates. ha)

The only thing that made this scene better was the smile i received when I said his name.

Such a joyful loving soul. A mama's boy for sure.

Immediately read this book! I am serious.

It will change your life.

You may want to throw it against the wall like my sister did after reading one chapter,

but if you apply it, even the first chapter's assignment you will see instant results.

INSTANT!

I got it in the mail a couple of days ago and since then me, the book, and hershey

special dark chocolates have been inseparable. I am only a quarter of the way through the book and already it has seriously changed my life in only a couple of days.

Dave is a happy man.

I am going to give this book to every single woman i know that is frustrated about not

being able to find someone to marry.

It says it all. Exactly how to be absolutely irresistible to a man.

If you are a feminist, you will not like this book...initially.

But if you are smart, and want everything you always dreamed of in a relationship,

you will be able to get over yourself, and your pride, and really try to

understand what a man needs, and in return you will have all of

your wildest dreams come true. smile.

I promise. Just try it.

I even gave my girls an assignment to try on dave and jacob. They responded

exactly as the book said. (a good thing).

They actually have a book by the same author called, "the fascinating girl". I bought it

but haven't read it yet. But let me tell you , I am giving my girls a great gift. And their

future spouses I might add.

So far there is only one thing I would say is wrong in it. Page 120, you will know what I mean when you read it. there may be more. I will keep you posted.

Again, it may ruffle your feathers, but the book is not about how to make yourself

fascinating to other women, but to men.

Do I have your interest piqued? Don't waste a moment. Order it today, or find it

at your local library.

Watch out Dave!

and you thought i was irresistible before! ha ha